UPDATE 11:30PM
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Police have declared the St John’s fire suspicious.
Inspector Rob Post of Goulbun police said officers were exploring links between all three fires in the past two and a half weeks.
They are following up several leads that have emerged from public information.
“Police have also been liaising with the council regarding the integrity of the structure as it remains,” Inspector Post said tonight.
The Goulburn Post asked the council today what action it could reasonably take regarding the building’s dilapidated state and public safety risk. A response was not forthcoming.
Meantime, more than 30 firefighters are on scene. Two aerial appliances are dousing the rooftop. A large section of the western side of the roof and brick structure has collapsed.
The appliance is making its way to the rear of the building.
Crews are also posted on the southern side where wind is blowing embers.
NSW Fire and Rescue deputy captain Kerri Borchard said the blaze was mostly contained.
10PM:
The former St John’s orphanage in Mundy St is well engulfed in flames for the second time in two nights.
The three-story was well involved before firefighters arrived on scene about 9.30pm tonight (Friday).
The roof, already extensively damaged from previous fires, is exploding as crews try to douse the flames.
A small crowd of onlookers has gathered. police are also on scene.
More fire units from throughout the region are arriving.
- Read more:
- Explosive nights
- ‘Only a matter of time’
- November 6
- Firies mop up after St John’s blaze
- Council acts after St John’s fire
- St John’s orphanage fire in photos
- November 4
- Orphanage burns again | Photos
- Blaze destroys community heart, heritage
- Orphanage owner lost for words
- Smoking out concerns
- November 3
- Another St John’s fire | Photos
- Doherty laments St John’s fire
- St John’s orphanage on fire